ARIZONA CARDINALS

An inside look: Wolf’s notes for Cardinals vs. Rams

Nov 25, 2012, 5:15 PM | Updated: 5:18 pm

Arizona Sports’ Ron Wolfley also serves as the color commentator for Arizona Cardinals radio broadcasts. He’s been kind enough to share his notes for this game against the St. Louis Rams. Here’s a look at what Wolf will be paying attention to Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Here comes the blitz!

1) The CARDINALS need to beat the blitz Sunday!!

a. Kevin Kolb was sacked 9 times the last time these two teams played. The Rams came after Kolb with a vast a varied blitz package that included a couple zero looks. If they did it to Kolb, they’ll do it to Ryan Lindley.

b. They did it to Ryan Tannehill until he threw a 9-route for a TD. Once he proved he could beat them, the Rams backed off and gave him more vanilla coverages. But then they ramped it back up again. MAKE THEM PAY WHEN THEY BLITZ!!

2) The Cards have to stay out of third and obvious situations with Lindley.

a. Be good on first down

b. Get Larry involved underneath early in the game.

c. REDRUN!

3) Balance, balance, balance…

a. The Cards need to run the ball as much as they throw it and use play-action liberally. They need to be three-dimensional.

4) Pound the rock with Beanie Wells…I don’t care if he’s rusty, these guys remember Beanie Wells knocking their face off. As long as he’s healthy, I’ll give him the ball 25 times!

5) Protect the ball. There is only one other team in the league that has generated fewer turnovers than the Rams defense (9). The Cardinals need to continue that woeful trend by not giving up anything cheap.

BIG RED OFFENSE:

Rams Defense:

Points Allowed/Game: 23.7 (T18)
Red Zone Defense: 59% (26)

DQBR: 91.0 (17)
Sacks/Attempt: (3)
Third Down %: 39% (18)

Average yards/Carry Allowed: 4.14 (15)
Rushing First-Downs Allowed: 72 (25)
Rushing TDs Allowed: 12 (T29)

Takeaways (plus/minus): 9 (-6)

Balance and moderation in all things…

The Rams revealed how you beat Ray Horton’s defense: run the ball and use play-action. Atlanta didn’t pay attention to what the Vikings, 49ers and Packers did and threw the ball with impunity.

They almost lost the game (and should have) because of their insolence and played into the strength of this defense. This will not be the case Sunday. The Rams will run it and stay balanced.

1) Stop Steven Jackson and Co. Do not allow the zone-scheme to have success.

a. Gap discipline

b. Tackle well

2) Be good on play-action: There is not a better play-action passing game than the tackle zone play-action. And Bradford is good at it. They will use it to throw the ball down the field.

3) Get to Bradford. Much has been said about the Cardinals protection problems (and rightfully so) but the Rams have struggled to protect Bradford.

4) Continue the turnover trend. The Rams have turned the ball over 15 times in 10 games. They will give the defense an opportunity to make a play and generate a takeaway.

5) Don’t get cocky: the pass defense for the Cardinals has been outstanding for most of the year (Cards are #2 in DQBR: 72.8 {Bears}). They can ill-afford a letdown against Bradford; even though he only completed 7 passes against them in October, the Cards cannot get complacent on defense.

BIG RED DEFENSE:
Rams Offense:

Points/Game: 17.4 (28)
Red Zone: 48% (22)

QBR: 83.5 (21)
Sacks/Attempt Allowed: 23
Third Down %: 35% (22)

Average yards/Carry: 4.35 (10)
Rushing First-Downs: 54 (22)
Rushing TDs: 3 (29)

Giveaways (plus/minus): 15 (-6)

The Dark Corners and the Shadows Creeping…

Ryan Lindley v Jeff Fisher Blitz

Nate Potter v Robert Quinn

Bobby Massie v Chris Long

Front 7 v Steven Jackson

Patrick Peterson?

Beanie Wells v Everybody

Michael Floyd?

One’s a point, two’s a trend, three’s a pattern…

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

18 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

21 hours ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

An inside look: Wolf’s notes for Cardinals vs. Rams